1960 Kennedy VS. Nixon

"Freedom"

Transcript

Museum of the Moving Image
The Living Room Candidate
"Freedom," Nixon, 1960

MALE NARRATOR: Mr. Nixon, what is the truth about our ability to fight the growing menace of Communism?

NIXON: Well, first, we must recognize communism for what it is. Mr. Khrushchev understands only strength and firmness. To apologize to him just means weakness. Our next president must show clearly that America won't stand for being pushed around anywhere in the world. While Mr. Khrushchev says that our grandchildren will live under communism, we must answer: His grandchildren will live in freedom. When he says the Monroe Doctrine is dead, we say the doctrine of freedom applies everywhere in the world. The only answer to communism is a massive offensive for freedom. Freedom from hunger, from disease, and a victory for the ageless hope of people everywhere: freedom from tyranny.

[TEXT: NIXON AND LODGE. They understand what peace demands]

MALE NARRATOR: Vote for Nixon and Lodge November 8th!

Credits

"Freedom," Independent Television Committee, 1960

Video courtesy of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library.

From Museum of the Moving Image, The Living Room Candidate: Presidential Campaign Commercials 1952-2012.
www.livingroomcandidate.org/commercials/1960/freedom (accessed May 22, 2025).

Share

To link to or forward this video via email, copy and
paste this URL:

Save

1960 Kennedy Nixon Results

In 1960, America was enjoying a period of relative prosperity. With the exception of the stirrings of the modern civil rights movement, domestic turbulence was low, and the primary foreign threat seemed to be the intensifying Cold War. Fidel Castro came to power in Cuba in 1959, and installed a Communist regime just ninety miles off the coast of Florida. In May 1960, an American U-2 spy plane was shot down inside the Soviet Union, further intensifying tensions between the superpowers. The Republican nominee, Vice President Richard Nixon, was enjoying a growing reputation for his foreign policy skills after his televised "kitchen debate" with Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev in 1959. The Democratic nominee, charismatic Massachusetts Senator John F. Kennedy, was attempting to become the first Catholic president and, at age 43, the youngest man ever elected to the office. Nixon argued that he had the maturity and experience to deal with the Communists, while Kennedy attempted to turn his youth into an advantage, proclaiming in his acceptance speech at the Democratic convention, "We stand today on the edge of a new frontier."

Click on thumbnail to view video
Democrat
Republican
 
Debate 2 Jingle Nixon's Experience? Harry Belafonte Sills Family Religion Mrs. JFK Henry Fonda
Most Important Issue Peace Best Qualified Civil Rights Taxes Lodge Economic Strength Freedom